A Tulalip Heritage running back was in the clear with open field ahead when a fumbled snap created chaos behind the Darrington backfield at the Tulalip Tribes Sports Complex on Thursday. The scramble for the loose ball involved players from both squads and resulted in an official being knocked to the ground by the pile of bodies. By the time the running back secured possession with the end zone in sight, the whistle had blown, halting the play.
"I thought I had the ball, but I seen the ref on the ground, so I basically knew what the whistle was going to be for," the player stated. "But it was kind of just a late whistle at the same time."
Any potential controversy was erased on the ensuing play. A Tulalip Heritage senior receiver told his coaching staff he could secure a touchdown pass, and the quarterback obliged. The receiver beat a defensive back on the left side, ran a post pattern past the safety, and caught a 60-yard pass for a score. A subsequent rushing conversion attempt by the quarterback pushed the lead to 24-0 with 10:25 remaining in the first half.
"I told coach I could just easily get the touchdown pass," the receiver said. "The next play later, he just gave it to me. I told him 1-on-1 is not it, and I just took it."
The contest ended in a 38-0 victory for Tulalip Heritage (3-0 overall, 2-0 league), moving them past Darrington (3-1, 2-1). The receiver finished with 113 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, including a 23-yard pass completion late in the half. The quarterback threw for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. The team rushed for 201 yards, with three players each surpassing 50 yards on a limited number of carries.
Defensively, the Tulalip Heritage running back recorded an interception and a fumble recovery, while a junior defender contributed a sack and two tackles for loss. This victory follows games where the team scored over 60 points in each of their first two wins, marking a strong start to the second season under head coach Shawn Custis.
"I think its the dedication to the film room and the grease board," Custis said. "Its really about the IQ. I dont think the athleticisms ever been a question in this community. Its just how soon do they want to get to that next level, and theyre really bought into the system. Weve got great support from the top-down, and theyre seeing it. Were getting everybody on board. Were really jelling right now."
Tulalip Heritage builds momentum with dominant performance
Last season served as a foundational year for Tulalip Heritage, with the program emphasizing simplicity and cohesion. Coaches prioritized clear instruction, enabling athletes to train with purpose and build chemistry. The result was a 5–3 record and a appearance in the 1B State Round of 16, setting the stage for a more confident second campaign.
Through recent action, the Hawks have climbed to second in the 1B RPI standings, tied earlier with Darrington before a key win pushed them upward. Their style emphasizes pace and spatial awareness, according to head coach Custis, who noted the team’s preference for using speed to challenge larger opponents.
While not flashy in execution, the offensive output delivered spectacle, highlighted by long touchdown runs of 29, 30, 36, 55, and 60 yards, plus multiple scores that gained extra yardage after being called back due to penalties.
The contest versus Darrington exemplified this approach. Tulalip Heritage seized control early, scoring on its second offensive snap after a turnover on downs. A 55-yard dash by Zackuse, followed by a converted two-point attempt, gave the Hawks an 8–0 lead. Defensively, a stop by Hatch and a 13-yard sack from junior Derek Rabang in succession set up another turnover, and Myles-Gilford pushed across a 30-yard touchdown shortly thereafter.
Defensive discipline remained central throughout. Coach Hatch stressed the importance of containing outside threats and executing solid open-field tackles, principles reinforced repeatedly in practice.
Darrington, despite strong recent form, including an undefeated league slate and a quarterfinal berth last season, faced stiffer competition than usual. With just 21 players, including six in eighth grade, the Loggers operate with limited depth, even by eight-man standards.
Coach Shane Wright acknowledged the speed differential as a decisive factor, adding that Tulalip Heritage’s ability to stretch the field matched expectations, and exceeded them.
Senior Grady Stuvland proved versatile for Darrington, accumulating 122 rushing yards, an interception, and a fumble recovery, but the Loggers struggled to match the Hawks’ tempo. After Myles-Gilford’s second turnover, followed by a deep touchdown reception from Gray, the team added a 29-yard score from Davis to Lopez, who made a leaping catch late in the play.
A series of defensive stops, including another sack and tackle for loss from Hatch, forced Darrington into a long fourth-down situation before Zackuse intercepted a desperation pass. That set up Gray’s 36-yard wildcat run just before the half, extending the lead to 38–0.
Davis highlighted the synergy between offensive schemes and personnel speed, noting how the combination facilitated scoring opportunities across multiple phases.
Tulalip Heritage continues to center its season around a single primary goal: claiming the state championship. Myles-Gilford emphasized this singular focus, noting that the team’s daily routine is defined by consistent effort and intense competition. According to the player, every practice session and game is about maintaining full intensity and putting in the necessary work to achieve that ultimate prize.
The second half of the recent contest saw a marked decrease in tempo. Both squads struggled with ball security during the third quarter, each recording a turnover on downs and surrendering a pass interception. The pace further slowed in the fourth quarter as both teams managed the clock effectively.
Despite falling behind by a significant margin, the Loggers drew praise from their coach for their work ethic and demeanor after the halftime break. The Hawks, meanwhile, took advantage of the situation to provide substantial playing time to their backup players. This strategy allowed the reserve unit to gain valuable experience ahead of their upcoming Friday night challenge against Lummi Nation, a team that has not suffered a loss this season.